The exterior photos show a Cooper S version of the Countryman carrying an 'All4' four-wheel-drive badge. Although it rides lower than the Beachcomber concept, this is thought to be largely because it is sitting on smaller tyres.

Inside, the layout remains faithful to the new Mini, including the oversized speedo and toggle switches.

The first official images of the car had been scheduled to be released next month, before it was unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March. The Mini Countryman goes on sale this September from around £17,000.

The new model is a shade over four metres long and shifts Mini into more family-orientated territory.

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Looks awful, but then again I'm not their target audience (income a bit too low, too obsessed with getting practicality for my money and I don't own ray bahns (spelling?)). On the otherhand do you reckon they'll accept my wife part-ex for the rather nice lady in the first photo?

Looks ok. Like the extra practicality of it and the 4wd, but not the best pics. In white and black wheels just looks like somones stolen all the hubcaps or the drivers had to replace a 4 tyre blowout.Only test drove the last Mini and found it really claustraphobic inside.This kinda looks the same.Whoever chose the colour and trim on that car isn't doing it any favours at all.